Heavyweights Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes will face off in a potential No. 1 contender’s bout at UFC Vegas 71, with the event’s poster now revealed.
Heavyweights Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes are set to face off in a crucial No. 1 contender’s bout at UFC Vegas 71 on April 22. The anticipation surrounding the fight between the two promising contenders is evident in the newly released event poster featuring both fighters front and center. The fight is scheduled to take place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
Both Pavlovich and Blaydes have been on impressive win streaks leading into this pivotal contest. Blaydes has secured three consecutive wins, including recent triumphs over Tom Aspinall and Chris Daukaus. Overall, he boasts a record of 7-1 in his last eight fights, with his only loss coming at the hands of Derrick Lewis in 2021. On the other hand, Pavlovich has been undefeated in the UFC since his debut loss to former title challenger Alistair Overeem. The fearsome Russian fighter has amassed a five-fight winning streak, with each victory coming by first-round knockout, including finishes over Lewis, Tai Tuivasa, and Shamil Abdurakhimov.
With newly crowned heavyweight champion Jon Jones expected to face Stipe Miocic later this year, the outcome of the bout between Pavlovich and Blaydes could determine the next title challenger. UFC Vegas 71 also features a number of fascinating fights on the undercard, although not included in the event poster. The co-main event will see Song Yadong take on Ricky Simon at bantamweight, while Bobby Green makes his return to face Jared Gordon on the main card.